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Chapter 348 Pathogenic Spores (Three-in-One)

Xu Yuan looked at Gao Guanzi with a puzzled expression: How could he figure out the underground traces just by "listening"?

Then Gao Guanzi drew his axe from his waist, put his ear to the ground, and struck the ground heavily with the back of the axe.

By relying on the subtle differences in the underground echoes, he discerned the traces left by the roots as they burrowed underground.

It took them almost half an hour to reach a riverbank.

"That root must have grabbed onto something and slipped away into the river."

Xu Yuan recalled what Deng Linyue had said: this ghost beard wood was most likely carried down from upstream along the canal.

"Is this tree near the water? Or is it easier to move it by using the river?"

The banks of the river were covered with dense forests. Xu Yuan opened the "Wangming" (a magical artifact) and took a look, but there were no evil spirits hiding there.

That is to say, the Ghost Beard Tree is not here at this time.

Deng Linyue found it difficult to see through Gui Xumu's "ever-changing nature," but it was not a problem for Xu Yuan.

In the eyes of the two mountain runners, the clue ended here.

However, Xu Yuan felt that this clue was very important.

Lord Xu deduced that the Ghost Beard Tree would still appear in this river, or even in this section of the river.

The most reliable way to find that thing right now is to lie in wait in this area at night.

Someone previously saw the ghost beard tree under Pig Cry Rock.

Deng Linyue came for this reason.

Last night, a root came down from under Pig-Calling Rock and took something away.

The roots may have originated from *Gnaphalium affine*.

Even the "Albizia tree" seen by the Miao people is actually transformed from the ghost beard tree.

In other words, if the roots from last night were indeed from the Ghost Beard Wood, then what it sought in Ghost Witch Mountain was beneath Pig Cry Rock.

In the absence of other clues, waiting here for something that might be the Ghost Beard Wood to appear is undoubtedly the best option.

Xu Yuan looked around and said to Gao Guanzi, "We'll stay here tonight. You build a shack and try to keep it as secluded as possible."

If it really is Ghost Beard Wood, that thing has thirteen tree eyes; don't let it see through your disguise.

"Yes, sir," Gao Guanzi replied.

Xu Yuan then said to Bai Laoyan, "Let's split up. You take me to Guofeng Ridge first."

I made plans with Jiao last night.

Old Bai wasn't familiar with the terrain around here, and it took him a while to find Guofeng Ridge.

Looking into the distance, Xu Yuan saw not the dragon's life, but he did see Tian Jing.

Tian Jing's "fate" is becoming less and less like a human's, and is instead infinitely close to that of an evil spirit!

Xu Yuan sighed inwardly. Although he admired his character, he also felt very sad.

Tian Jing stayed with Jiao on Guanghuo Street, and inevitably, he gradually transformed into a true evil spirit!
Tian Jing's abilities also became increasingly bizarre.

He was squatting in a patch of tangled weeds, from which several large blue stones emerged.

Tian Jing's back was also covered in bruises.

It squatted there motionless, head down, just like the other bluestones.

Even if Xu Yuan hadn't activated "Fate Gazing," he might not have recognized him even if he walked right past him.

A strange bird with a long scorpion tail flew past, skimming over the grass.

The scorpion's tail plowed through the grass.

If there are wild rabbits or small snakes in the grass, they will be hooked by the tail and then eaten by this strange bird.

As the strange bird passed by, Tian Jing suddenly reached out his hand.

His arm shot out half a meter, grabbed the strange bird, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed it up.

Xu Yuan quietly pulled Bai Laoyan aside and waited silently for a moment.

Tian Jing ate the bird and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Xu Yuan deliberately made his footsteps louder as he walked towards him.

Tian Jing probably didn't want to see his true self.

"My lord," Tian Jing stood up happily and called out.

There was also a hint of barely perceptible relief in his voice.

As soon as he stood up, the "mimicry" on his body disappeared.

He has recovered to about 70-80% of his normal appearance.

Xu Yuan smiled and said, "You've worked hard. How's it been at Guanghuo Street these past few days?"

Tian Jing smiled and said, "It's alright. The shop has just opened, so it will be a bit tough. Fortunately, we have Jiao here, and with the adults and Xiaobai as our support, we will definitely be able to persevere."

His actual years in this mortal world far exceeded those of Old Man Bai, so when he called him "Little White," Old Man Bai could only accept it.

Xu Yuan nodded and said, "That's good. Let me know if you need anything."

After all, it's a business that everyone is involved in.

Tian Jing said, "We've already sold quite a bit of what we brought. We'll really need you to help us find suppliers in a while."

"no problem."

Tian Jing asked mysteriously, "Sir, guess who our biggest buyer is?"

Xu Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly: "Could it be these evil spirits on the street?"

Tian Jing smiled and said, "Before I came here, I had the same idea as you, sir. At first, we did sell the goods directly to those evil spirits—but later we gradually discovered that those evil spirits were actually acting as middlemen when they bought our goods!"

Tian Jing lowered his voice and said, "They...were sold outside the mountains!"

Xu Yuan said "Oh," and then he understood everything: these great evil spirits had actually reached a bottleneck.

It's extremely difficult to improve now.

Just like that "Master Ruan Tian," how else could he be promoted?

Even with further improvements, he still wouldn't be able to break out of the mountains and challenge the Dragon King of the Grand Canal.

So they bought a lot of materials, but couldn't use them themselves.

“We made some inquiries in secret, and it turns out they’ve been doing business with people outside the mountains all these years,” Tian Jing said. “For example, the true seed you want, sir. Jiao inquired and found that there haven’t been any major evil spirits cultivating true seeds on the streets recently.”

Actually, if they were bred by them, this would be much easier. We can negotiate the price and buy it for you directly.

Over the years, more than 80% of the genuine offspring that have flowed out from uncivilized places have been cultivated by great evil spirits.

Regardless of how those who obtained the true seeds boasted to the outside world that they had fought a hard battle to reclaim them.

The truth is, more than half of these were purchased with money after being negotiated with powerful evil entities.

Xu Yuan frowned again and asked, "What do evil spirits need money for?"

"It's not just money; most of the transactions involve living people, or fresh human blood," Tian Jing said. "What I've heard recently is that powerful and influential families have connections to buy prisoners from the front lines!"

Xu Yuan nodded, "I see."

“And another thing,” Tian Jing said, “It is said that some people in this prefecture have made contact with the red-haired barbarians and are buying servants directly from them!”
However, the rumors are rather strange. They say that the people they bought are all black, as if they were smeared with ink, just like the Kunlun slaves of the past. No one knows where they found them.

I was somewhat skeptical, but those great evil spirits were adamant, even saying that those living people didn't taste good and smelled too bad..."

Tian Jing suddenly stopped talking.

Because at that time, that great evil spirit even gave Tian Jing an analogy, comparing the difference between a domestic pig and a wild boar...

Tian Jing was afraid that if he spoke out, Lord Xu's expression would change immediately.

After explaining their general situation, Xu Yuan asked, "What exactly is the nature of this evil spirit, the 'Gnaphal Crow'?"

"We inquired around on Guanghuo Street about which evil spirits could cultivate true seeds," Tian Jing said. "Among them is the Abomination Crow. But the true seeds that this guy cultivates are always a bit strange. It is said that the alchemist who bought its true seed back then, although he advanced to the fifth rank, became very prone to illness afterward. He would refine medicine pills himself, take them and get better, but then fall ill again after a few days."

He persevered for ten years, but ultimately succumbed to the illness and died.

Although alchemists are not known for their physical strength, a fifth-rate cultivator should not have only ten years left to live.

Tian Jing continued, "The core of the raven's strange abilities lies in its 'serious illness.' If its illness truly takes hold, it can spread from one person to ten, then from ten to a hundred, and can easily kill the people of an entire city."

It is said that in the early days, before it appeared on the streets, it often wreaked havoc in the counties surrounding Guiwu Mountain.

After going out into the streets, he no longer left the mountains and devoted himself to collecting various ailments.

It can even manifest itself as various diseases.

If it so desires, any creature infected with its disease will become its eyes, ears, and nose.

If it infects a cultivator, it can directly turn that cultivator into a 'pathogenic shadow,' similar to a clone.

Xu Yuan asked, "It hasn't shown its true form lately. Have you found out what it's been doing?"

"It's possible that it acquired a very rare disease some time ago and is currently researching it. But... there's also something that doesn't make sense. Unless the disease is so severe that it interferes with the raven, it wouldn't have been hiding all this time."

Xu Yuan also shook his head: "The carbuncle is at least a fifth-rate disease. What kind of illness can infect it?"

Tian Jing said, "Jiao is still gathering information. There is another situation, though. A month ago, a mysterious buyer used three hundred living people to buy a 'spore' from the Aphrodisiac Crow."

A few days ago, someone bought a piece of "blood cake" from "Hua Lingzi," the old rival of the gangrenous crow.

Hua Lingzi was also a major evil spirit on the street, constantly boasting that her blood cake could cure all the 'diseases' of the carbuncle crow. The two had fought several times on the street, and the battles ended in a draw.

Later, they angered the biggest dog on the street, who slapped both of them, and only then did they stop causing trouble.

Tian Jing added, "Flower bells can also be cultivated into true seeds, and there are no hidden dangers associated with their true seeds."

Xu Yuan nodded, and then had nothing more to ask.

Tian Jing was about to go back: "Someone is coming to discuss business today, so I have to go back quickly. Jiao can't handle it."

Xu Yuan: "Can a living person enter the Guanghuo Street?"

"Hey! They all have tickets, so they can not only enter Guanghuo Street, but also move freely in Guiwu Mountain. All the evil spirits ignore them."

However, these tickets are extremely rare, and only the highest-ranking person is qualified to issue them. We'll get one for the adults when we have the chance.

"Okay, then you should go back now."

Tian Jing cupped his hands in greeting and left.

After turning a bend in the mountain valley, Xu Yuan and Bai Laoyan could no longer see him, so he got on all fours and ran away like a wild beast.

Xu Yuan and Bai Laoyan returned to the riverbank.

Gao Guanzi had already built the framework for the shack.

Because the ghost beard tree is "ever-changing", Gao Guanzi dared not build his hut in the forest.

He chose a spot between two huge rocks not far from the riverbank.

They dug a semi-submerged pit.

The top was covered with stones.

Try to keep the layout the same as before.

However, it still needs to be processed using the "traditional methods" of mountain runners.

If you dig a cave in the mountains and live there... at night, the cave might turn into a terrifying maw and swallow everything inside.

Xu Yuan was very vigilant. After returning, he climbed to a high place and used "Wangming" to scan the surrounding woods. He did not see the Ghost Beard Tree.

However, in a grove of trees to the north, I spotted a "fake accident scammer".

The tree we encountered last time has been burned to ashes by Xu Yuan.

But there's more than one con artist in these mountains.

The con artist mingled in the woods, putting on a convincing act, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Xu Yuan pretended not to notice.

After they got down, he told Gao Guanzi in private.

"...That thing wasn't here this morning. It sneaked in while I was out with Old Man Bai." Xu Yuan guessed, "Could it be one of Ghost Beard's spies?"

Gao Guanzi twirled the axe in his hand a couple of times, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light: "If it really is Ghostbeard Wood's spy, then we can't just chop it down directly..."

Old Bai said, "I'll do the rest. You come closer, listen to it, and figure out whether this thing came here by accident or was sent by Gui Xumu."

Gao Guanzi nodded, picked up his axe, and left.

After Gao Guanzi left, Xu Yuan suddenly looked around and realized something: "This place... seems to be the only way between Pig Cry Rock and the camp of those seven people."

Did Guixumu choose this place unintentionally, or did he specifically pick it to make it easier to monitor the people in the camp?
Xu Yuan said to Bai Laoyan, "You go ahead and do your work. I'll go check on those seven people."

"Please go ahead, sir."

Xu Yuan covered the mud face with his mask.

It moved stealthily, appearing like a cowardly evil spirit.

It's the same place we were observing from yesterday.

Xu Yuan had just entered his seat and hadn't even stuck his head out yet when he heard some sounds coming from below.

Xu Yuan then hid and didn't go out.

He put on the newly acquired mahogany and brass earrings.

Xu Yuan was quite certain that the craftsman's work was far inferior to Gao Guanzi's ears.

However, it's enough to deal with the current situation.

All the sounds below reached Xu Yuan's ears without missing a single one.

Two people were talking, but there were also some low moans mixed in.

"...Why do you have to get involved in this mess?"

"Bian Lü's methods went too far."

"The war in Siam is about to end. The body of the Ghost King was not delivered to the rebels, and their power is gone. Now that the war is over, what use are all these troops of the court? They must continue to conquer cities and territories to the west, otherwise these soldiers will have to be disbanded and sent home, and the court will not feel at ease."

“I don’t object to Bian Lü wanting to continue fighting and seeking military merit; let him fight openly and fairly. I admire him as a good man who seeks fame and fortune, if he continues to conquer Burma and India to the west, and completely subjugate Malacca to the south, or even that distant island! But he used a disease to kill an entire city just to quickly open the border into Burma; that’s really too much!”

Xu Yuan had already understood.

Siam was about to be conquered, but the imperial army there did not want the war to end there.

Even the imperial court didn't want it to end.

In such wars of conquest, the imperial court does not need to pay the full amount of military pay.

You might only need to pay 30%.

The soldiers wouldn't rebel, because every time they conquered a place, these arrogant and fierce generals would naturally reap benefits far exceeding their meager pay.

However, once the war ended, they had to pay a lot of money, since it was a long and arduous expedition.

Letting them return to their hometowns is problematic, as these veterans are a destabilizing factor in the villages.

There's actually something involving Lord Xu in this.

Because of Xu Yuan, the Ghost King's body was not delivered to the Siamese rebels.

"Why are you so rigid? What do those Burmese people have to do with my Ming Dynasty? My Shanhe Division and the Exorcism Division are really foolish. Why not let the Ghost King's body go there? Those natives of Siam have rebelled several times already. Give them the Ghost King's body and let them continue to cause trouble. Our army can kill another batch, and then we can relocate the people of the Ming Dynasty there. This place will be stable."

Xu Yuan couldn't help but scratch his ear: This logic... is a bit vicious.

"How can this be! We should educate them with the teachings of the sages..."

"Don't give me that nonsense! Fine, I won't argue with you. I'm here to find Gui Xumu. You're here early, have you seen that evil spirit?"

"never seen it."

"Really?"

"That thing is useless to me. If I've seen it, I can use that information to exchange for what I want."

"Alright, I'll go find it myself. Considering our years of friendship, let me give you another piece of advice: don't try to fight the raven with magic. You're no match for it. Your idea of ​​finding the antidote for its spore through magic is too idealistic. You simply can't do it, and you might end up losing yourself too! This is Ghost Witch Mountain. If you get infected by its disease, who will save you?"

"My mind is made up."

"Stubborn fool..." the voice muttered a few more words and left.

He had two men, and the three of them went in another direction, without passing by Xu Yuan's side.

After they left, Xu Yuan quietly peeked out.

The campsite was quite deserted.

The groans came from one of the tents.

Xu Yuan carefully examined the group and found there were six people inside.

In other words, apart from this "Qiu Ningtai", all six of his subordinates were sick.

There were many herbs in front of Qiu Ningtai.

They're all fresh; they must have just been picked from the surrounding mountains.

He held a herb in his hands and rubbed it together, and the medicinal properties were forced out by his "method" and condensed into a drop the size of a grain of rice.

It is as viscous as tung oil.

He then used the same method to bring out the medicinal properties of other herbs as well.

Then he mixed them according to the proportions, and then cut his ten fingers and squeezed out a drop of blood.

His blood mixed with the medicinal properties, releasing a thick cloud of white vapor.

After a moment, he brought the "medicine" he had concocted through magic to the entrance of the tent.

A weak voice came from inside the tent: "Master, please don't come in. Leave it at the door and we'll take it ourselves."

Qiu Ningtai nodded and put down the medicine bowl: "Okay, I won't go in."

A hand reached out from inside the tent.

That hand was already festering and oozing pus!

They asked for the bowls to be brought inside so they could share the drink.

"How are you feeling?" Qiu Ningtai asked hurriedly.

"Much better."

Qiu Ningtai breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed he had solved Ju Ya's problem for today.

"Take another dose of medicine later, and you should be fine."

Qiu Ningtai sat down.

I was already exhausted from casting the spell, and then I used a drop of precious blood. Now that my mind is relaxed, I feel incredibly weak.

In the previous battles of wits, Qiu Ningtai was able to handle them with ease.

But today's symptoms are particularly severe.

After the four returned to the camp, they quickly infected the other two, but Qiu Ningtai alone survived.

His expression was grave; tomorrow's "problem" with the ravenous crows would surely be even more difficult.

However, if we can solve tomorrow's problem, we should be able to cure the disease in that "spore" and save the people of that city.

He rested for a while, then went to the side and retrieved a wild boar that his men had hunted that morning. Without cooking it, he killed it and ate all its internal organs!
Four of his men went to retrieve the small animals in the morning, while the other two went to hunt the wild boar.

Xu Yuan's eyelids twitched as he watched.

Qiu Ningtai buried his head directly into the wild boar's belly. After he finished eating, he raised his head, his face covered in filth, blood, and bits of flesh!
Qiu Ningtai washed himself clean, then took off his shirt and sat down to meditate.

Xu Yuan frowned. What was going on?

Just as I was wondering, I saw Qiu Ningtai's back slowly bulge out.

About half an hour later, he looked like he had become hunched over, with a large bulge on his back.

Xu Yuan focused his gaze and could see clearly: the outer skin of the large bag was stretched to an extremely thin, semi-transparent state.

It's full of pus!

Even more, there were some small, dark red worms wriggling in the pus!
Xu Yuan had no idea what kind of cultivation method this guy practiced! His father had never mentioned this kind of cultivation method to him.

His "law" is so wicked and treacherous, yet he possesses a heart of "universal love".

They were willing to risk their lives to save civilians from other countries.

Qiu Ningtai appeared to be in great pain, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Slowly, the large bag behind him began to shrink.

But it's not that the "illness" is getting better; it's actually getting worse!

When the large package condensed to the size of a pigeon egg, its outer layer had become completely transparent.

The inside was teeming with tiny insects!
Qiu Ningtai took out a small knife, which was clearly a high-quality craftsmanship.

He awkwardly cut off the bag on his back.

It also cut off a layer of skin and flesh.

Blood flowed suddenly.

Qiu Ningtai didn't have time to treat his wounds, but hurriedly took the "bag" to the four bamboo cages.

The small animals were kept in the bamboo cage.

Qiu Ningtai selected one, threw the "bag" inside, and quickly closed the bamboo cage.

This time, we won't separate either, and we'll give the crows a difficult problem!

Then, Qiu Ningtai hurriedly took out a medicinal pill and awkwardly pressed it onto the wound, rolling it around.

The wound was bleeding profusely, the blood flowing down to his lower back and staining his trousers red.

The medicinal pill was of very high quality; after rolling it around for a while, the wound was completely healed.

Qiu Ningtai breathed a sigh of relief, but after resting for a while, he still had to prepare the second dose of "medicine".

Xu Yuan stopped looking and quietly left, pondering on the way: If he were infected by the carbuncle or Qiu Ningtai's "disease", would his medicine be able to cure him?

It seems most likely won't work...

Lord Xu suddenly felt a surge of crisis. No, he had to ask the two mountain runners for some precious medicinal herbs to greatly enhance his elixirs.

Back at the riverbank, they ran into Gao Guanzi, who was returning and said to Lord Xu, "Sir, I'm in trouble!"
That ghostly thing was indeed sent by Ghost Beard.

The "extortionist" had already spotted Xu Yuan and his two companions, along with the newly set-up shack.

Whether or not it has secretly informed Guixumu of this situation, things are now very difficult. Even if we kill it, Guixumu will become alert and might not come back tonight.

(End of this chapter)